IDF chief: Future Gaza flotillas will be blocked by Israel's defensive shield
Ashkenazi tells Turkel committee IDF troops were not ready for violent resistance they met when they boarded a Gaza-bound aid ship, killing nine pro-Palestinian activists in May.
By Haaretz Service Tags: Israel news Gaza flotilla Gabi Ashkenazi IDFFuture aid flotillas traveling to Gaza to break the naval siege on the territory will be blocked by the Israel Navy's defensive shield, Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi said on Wednesday.
"If they come, they will be stopped by our defensive shield," Ashkenazi said in his address at the naval graduation ceremony in Haifa. "There is no doubt that you will manage to stop the nearing threats," he told the graduates.
Earlier Wednesday, Ashkenazi testified before an internal probe into Israel's deadly raid on the Gaza-bound aid ship, the Mavi Marmara, saying that the raid quickly became "chaotic," and the soldiers had no choice but to "continue with the plan."
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IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi speaking at an event for wounded soldiers in June, 2010 |
| Photo by: Ofer Vaknin |
IDF troops were not ready for the violent resistance they met when they boarded a Gaza-bound aid ship and killed nine pro-Palestinian activists, Ahskenazi told the inquiry, headed by former chief justice Jacob Turkel, adding that the outcome of the May 31 raid was impossible to predict.
"From the moment the operation began, it was clear that the circumstances were unprecedented," he said, adding that as commander he took full responsibility for the troops' actions.
Meanwhile, despite initial reports that military personnel would not testify before the Turkel committee, Ashkenazi has authorized Military Advocate General Brig. Gen. Avichai Mandelblit to testify before the panel.
Ashkenazi also approved the questioning of General (Res.) Giora Eiland, who headed the IDF's internal inquiry into the deadly raid.
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they have every right to continue the blockade. their childrens lives are at stake
Put hate aside and keep in mind: 1. Israel agreed to allow the supplies to go to Gaza through the port of Ashdod, after a security check. 2. Five of the six boats conformed, and there were no casualties nor deaths. Think - what was different about the sixth boat? 3. Hundreds of trucks carrying supplies go to Gaza daily, with Israel's approval. 4. Why is there a blockade on Gaza and not on the West Bank? Perhaps it is because thousands of rockets were not fired from there into Israel? And finally... 5. What would your country do under similar circumstances, with an organization such as Hamas on its border indiscriminately firing rockets into your territory?
Well, thats normal. The world thought the ships will pass, and it was only the Pals who were confident that they will be blocked. The IDF has fulfilled this and the Pals' assumption became a reality. The IDF chief arrogantly telling everyone that his army will block any flotilla and by that, he's just preparing for new war crimes and even worse he's saying this in front of a panel that is investigating the incident. Whats funny is that, although Barak and the IDF chief are clearly telling everyone that they were behind this crime, the funny panel will conclude that Israel was defending itself and Barak would be a hero and will be elected for that as a PM. I advice them to shut down this investigation because the results are already known.
Although people in Gaza were not starving, there was severe malnutrution. Malnutrition in children hinders their physical and mental development. Which I am sure the Israeli government realized, but would never admit due to the risk of future war crimes tribunals. Here is a link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7766509.stm
Poorly prepared soldiers led by dogmatic politicians. And when things go wrong the leaders refuse to take responsibility but invariably say over and over "I take full responsibility".
What a joke...
They came for one reason, to penetrate Israels blockade. They didn't! No need to apologize for their stupidity.
Their efforts resulted in a huge change in Israel's Gaza siege policy, as well as significant further isolation of Israel politically, militarily and culturally. And this was all due to the combination of the efforts of the Flotilla Activists and the stupidity of Israeli politicians.
It is a political question. Or has the army allways carte blanche? In one war without end
1.. The act was legal. They were given clear warning and they clearly indicated their intention to enter a hostile zone under blockade. Under such circumstances, boarding in international waters is very legal. 2. Human rights activists usually do not attempt to lynch naval boarding parties, or anyone else. The men on the Marmara included mercenaries, terrorists and people who had planned violence in advance. 3. Supplies are provided to Gaza all the time through Israel. The Hamas government there prevents much of these from reaching the people, hoarding most and attempting to create humanitarian crises. None exists! 4. The footage, even if edited - which I am not sure of but could be - clearly shows armed violent mobs attacking our navymen. Do none of you understand that had the navy wanted to, it could have subdued them all with less effort and more turkish fatalities. Its not as though we lack the military might. This was a classic case of extreme restraint on our part. And again refer to point 1 above - the action was justified and legal. When Hamas cancels it open declaration of war, recognized Israel and returns Gilad Shalit, we will be able to open the blockade. Extensive autonomy they already have.
Section 102, a blockade is illegal if "the damage to the civilian population is, or may be expected to be, excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated from the blockade." Here is the link: http://www.icrc.org/web/eng/siteeng0.nsf/html/57JMSU
as previously noted, the israeli navy and the idf lacked proper intelligence on the owners and pessangers of the mavi marmara. furthermore, the orders that commandos be lightly armed in the first phase of the operation was a huge mistake which led to the near capture of three commandos and the injury of others. the lack of intelligence undoubtedly is at the heart of the matter. one is astonished since it was known for weeks that this large ship, capable of carrying a thousand passengers, was preparing to sail from turkey to break the gaza blockade. the israeli leadership has a tendency to underestimate threats. the idf needs to be always prepared for the worst case. lastly, at the time of this incident, turkey had already turned its back on israel. hence, although turkey is not officially an enemy state, it has stopped being an ally.
i am genuinely curious as to whether or not the israeli public believes things like this. for example, remember when they were claiming that those guns which shot bullets that did not explode into paint were "paintball guns"? or how they claim that they didn't destroy any footage, and their "footage" is the only one available? or how they honestly thought that raiding a ship in international waters would have no negative consequences whatsoever? does anyone really buy this sh*t? honest question.
What choice do they have? If you don't believe it then all sorts of dreadful things become possible. Like maybe the Palestinians aren't always lying; maybe it's our government that prevents a meaningful peace process; maybe we will have to do something about it.
it was in their hand as they rappelled from the helicopters. The 9MM handguns they carried were on their thigh holsters as a back up emergency side arm. If you think any soldier of any military is going to simply jump from a helicopter with a toy gun you've obviously never met a soldier in any military in your entire life. The moral of the story here is, when people come down from helicopters in uniform professionally trying to stop a ship, don't try beating them or aiming metal poles in their faces, or they're respond like ANY other soldier in their position. Please go check up on something called common sense.. Thanks
Has been already clearly described in Israel newspapers. Obama said to Barak that no riot elimination tools should not be used and Barak obeyed his god. Paintball guns are not for riot elimination. Bibi talks too much with Barak and lets him do want he wants. Obama s good friend was on flotilla, so Obana knew what was to be expected. According to international law the ship can be boarded also in high seas when its destination is clear. Everybody in the world knew destination was Gaza
If they had known that the extremists not activists were going to try to kill the soldiers then they would have brought tear gas( which is why the extremists had gas masks) they would have brought riot shields ( as the extremists had sticks and pipes) but they still would have brought a side arm. Even police going to a domestic dispute brings a side arm it is for protection. If the Israeli army wanted to kill pro-pal extremists they sure as hell wouldn't have to go as far as international waters and they would have brought real guns.
IDF acted fairly.
thank you for answering my question. yes, someone was shot from above via a paintball gun that did not shoot paint. and yes, it is totally legal to kill civilians in the high seas. yes, yes, it all makes sense now. the "israeli newspapers" said so, after all.
9 dead human rights activists in one hour... that's unprecented violence...
learn the law. piracy is the act of private individuals. gaza is under legal, declared blockade, and israel was in her right to stop any ship on the high seas that intended to break the blockade. israel had made it clear that the mavi marmara would be allowed to dock in ashdod and from there any goods would be transferred to gaza.
So if I were to get ready to deliver a bomb to the Airport but I got stopped on the highway, then it's a violation on my human rights because I never got to step into the Airport right? Every time I hear your kind babbling about International waters as if International Law doesn't state anyone HEADING TOWARDS a blockage is not allowed to be stopped, I wonder if this is the best response you people cling to? Is that the best you could do? International waters? So if Iran sent a ship towards international waters while under sanctions by the U.S., then the U.S. can't inspect it? You make me laugh.
So tired of this stupid and meaningless line. Commandos borded civilian ships in international waters without invitation in the middle of the night, wearing masks and dressed all in black, armed to the teeth with guns and grenades. But, no, the thought of potential violence never crossed their minds. Either they are stupid, or they think we are stupid. Or both.
where do you get that they were armed ?? The terrorists were armed. The soldiers had paint guns. Stick to the realities numnut
with paintballs!?! Pull the other leg, it's got bells on it!
Tell me: how do you think you will block the Freedom Flotillas bound for Gaza when they are escorted by Turkish or Iranian (or both) fighting ships? The flotillas will reach and resupply Gaza or "Israel" will be embroiled in a disastrous war it must necessarily lose, with all attendant consequences. To the Zionists: I think your luck is beginning to run out.
Simply they will sink all of them
As for them reaching Gaza (or for being accompanied by military vessles of enemy states, for that matter), don't hold your breath.
You think the Turks or the Iranians will have the nerve to escort the ships??? they had a chance and they did not have the b@lls to do it. Go back to sleep and wake up from your childish dream.
Escorted by Turkish or Iranian fighting ships? lol, they will be faced with Israeli torpedos mate...Will probably be the last ship to ever try and break the blockade. GOOD LUCK!
we have a duty to help all those who are dying from hunger, reguardless of creed, colour or creed.
Do you have any idea of what your are talking about? The Gazan stores are full, and the prices for goods are cheaper than in Egypt. Propaganda for fools. Go visit and report back the "stavation".
do you really believe that the presence of a mall means that no one in the mall's vicinity is suffering? there's a mall called the afra mall in one of sudan's poorest regions--is no one is sudan suffering? or how about puntland in somalia? no suffering there, surely?
Don't you know that if one Gazan had died from hunger - ONE person, child or old man - we would read about nothing else for months, even if the death toll in Pakistan had meanwhile reached a million?
Do whatever you can to keep Ashkenazi up there. He's got the look. Sort of a Charles Bronson thing.